Carolinas AGC Honors 2025 Award Winners

The Carolinas Associated General Contractors (CAGC) celebrated outstanding achievements in the regional construction industry by honoring the recipients of its 2025 Pinnacle and Construction Excellence Awards during the organization’s 105th Annual Convention in Aruba. The Charlotte-based organization recognized projects, companies and individuals whose work in 2025 helped strengthen communities across North and South Carolina.

Five projects received the prestigious Pinnacle Awards, highlighting construction efforts that delivered exceptional value to local communities. In addition, one individual was honored with the “Build with the Best” Pinnacle Award for long-term commitment to collaboration and industry leadership. Five additional projects earned Construction Excellence Awards, recognizing superior craftsmanship and project management.

Recognizing Projects that Strengthened Communities

The Pinnacle Award winners represented a broad range of sectors, from higher education and transportation to municipal infrastructure and wastewater treatment. The honored projects included:

Clemson University Tillman Hall Auditorium renovation – Clemson, South Carolina

General contractor: Harper General Contractors
Pinnacle partners: Lord Aeck Sargent and Clemson University

Coastal Credit Union headquarters renovation – Raleigh, North Carolina

General contractor: Barnhill Contracting Co.
Pinnacle partners: Precision Walls and Triple-R Electric

South Carolina Department of Transportation Gaffney T bridge – Gaffney, South Carolina

General contractor: Reeves Construction Co.
Pinnacle partners: Augusta Iron & Steel Works, Concrete Supply Co. and Bullington Construction

Military Cutoff Extension – Wilmington, North Carolina

General contractor: Balfour Beatty
Pinnacle partners: Coastal Precast Systems, S&W Ready Mix Concrete and Barnhill Contracting

Clarke Creek PS, Force Main, Gravity Sewer & McDowell Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant – Huntersville, North Carolina

General contractor: State Utility Contractors
Pinnacle partners: Morrison Engineers and Smart Electric Co.

The association noted that Pinnacle entries were evaluated on unique challenges, project management, schedule and budget performance, special value to the community and safety outcomes. The competition is co-sponsored by Charlotte-based CPA firm GreerWalker LLP and law firm Johnston, Allison & Hord.

Individual Leadership in the Spotlight

The “Build with the Best” Pinnacle Award was presented to Lamar Sylvester, retired chief engineer for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, in recognition of decades of partnership with the construction community and his role in advancing infrastructure across the state.

Five additional projects were honored with Construction Excellence Awards, which highlight high-quality work completed in either North Carolina or South Carolina:

• Maeve – Raleigh, North Carolina – General contractor: W. M. Jordan Co.
• I-40 Widening: I-440 to Cornwallis Road – Wake and Johnston Counties, North Carolina – General contractor: S. T. Wooten Corp.
• US 17A/21 Bridge Replacement over CSX Railroad – Yemassee, South Carolina – General contractor: Crowder Construction Co.
• Bryant Farms Road Extension – Charlotte, North Carolina – General contractor: Blythe Development
• Emergency Demolition of Damaged S-2-105 Bridge over I-20 – Aiken County, South Carolina – General contractor: United Infrastructure Group Inc.

CAGC leaders said the awards reflect the organization’s broader mission of promoting professionalism and innovation in the industry while recognizing teams that overcome complex logistical and technical challenges.

The annual convention brought together contractors, suppliers and public officials from across the Carolinas to discuss workforce development, safety advancements and emerging construction technologies. Organizers emphasized that the honored projects demonstrate how collaboration between owners, designers and contractors can deliver lasting benefits to communities.

Originally reported by Emma Andrus, Associate Editor in CD Recycler.